NFL High School Player Development camp draws best of Western Mass.

WESTFIELD --- At the midway point of Day 1 at the NFL High School Player Development camp at Westfield High School, Bombers head coach Bill Moore urged the group to "finish strong."

"We started great, but now we need to finish. Stay focused and finish."

With three days left in camp, it remains to be seen just how well the group finishes. But it's safe to say that the dedicated group of 120 Western Massachusetts high school football players started their seasons off on the right foot, taking part in the camp.

In its third year, the region's NFL HSPD camp, presented by the National Guard, has grown. With a hard-working group --- including some of the region's top players and most successful coaches --- it's become everything Moore, the site coordinator, hoped it would be.

"I do this because I love the game," Moore said. "For the kids to have an opportunity to get better for free, it's a great thing."

The camp is free to all interested players and features a character-development session. The program, "emphasizes safety and concussion awareness, character development and life skills, and football fundamentals," according to its official website. It's main goal is to focus on underserved communities and the National Guard foots the bill.

The Westfield High School site is one of 17 in Massachusetts, 23 in New England and 150 nationwide. Throughout the camp season, the NFL High School Player Development program serves 30,000 student-athletes.

"It's a great thing for the guys," said Holyoke coach Bob Lastowski. "I suggest it to my players and why not? The coaches that help are the best in Western Mass. and when you add the character building aspect, it's a great thing."

Of course, the camp gives players time to get in physical shape for the start of preseason, which begins Aug. 22. It also gives coaches a chance to see what other talent is out there.

And there is plenty of talent on display this week at Westfield High School.

"It's a great thing for the kids because it gives them an early wakeup call that the season's coming," Moore said.

The camp is also a chance for area coaches to get their bearings and prepare for the upcoming season. Head coaches taking part in the camp include Chicopee's Alex Efstratios, Central's Valdamar Brower, Commerce's Tyrone Mathis, Northampton's Ken O'Brien and incoming Agawam coach Richard Jewell. Several assistant coaches and college coaches were also in attendance.

"The big thing for the coaches is that it builds the community a bit," Moore said. "It helps provide an opportunity for coaches to work together and know each other better."

In the end, though, it's about the kids improving. And by Moore's estimation, that's what's happening and the proof is in the pudding when looking at the program's growth over the last three years.

"I think we're underrated in Western Mass.," he said. "And this gives the kids an opportunity to get a jump start on the season."